Safety mechanism for oil burners



May 22, 1928.

1,670,745 0. c. SCHROEDER SAFETY MECHANISM FOR OIL BURNERS Filed Oct.17, 1924 I I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 22, 1928. 1,670,745

0. C. SCHROEDER SAFETY MECHANISM FOR OIL BURNERS Filed Oct. 17, 1924 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Z;2 venz or; Z

Patented May 22, 1928.

UNITED STATES OSCAR C, SCHROEDER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SAFETY mscna'msm F03 0111. BUBNERS.

- Application filed October 17, 1924. Serial No. 744,168.

My invention relates, more particularly, to devices for automaticallydiscontinuing the flow of oil to the burner when conditions render suchstoppage of flow desirable.

One of my 0 jects is to provide an automatically operating the oiloverflow the float-chamber of the burner, or the burner itself, as forexample in the case of the extinguishment of the flame, the flow of oilto the burner Will be automaticall discontinued.

Another 0 jectis to provide a construction wherein the oil-valvecontrolling the flow of oil to the burner, after being closed,

v1 cannot be'reset'in the open condition, unless the element of thesafety structure which is actuated 'by overflowing oil, is in operativeposition. Another object is to provide an automati- 2 cally operatingdevice whereby should the oil become ignited before it reaches theburnertip, the flow of oil to-the burner will be automaticall Idiscontinued.

Still urther objects are generally to pro- 2 vide such improvements inthe safety features of oil burners that the latter may be operated, withthe minimum danger from overflow or accidental ignition of the oil.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

igure 1 is a view, in vertical sectional elevation of aburner-structure, equipped with my improved safety device. Figure 2 isan enlarged view, in elevation, of the safety device. Figure 3 is asection taken at the irregular hne 3-3 on Fig. 2 and viewed in thedirection of the arrows. I, Figure 4 is a section taken at the irregularline 4-4.- on Fig. 3 and viewed in the direction of the arrows; andFigure 5, an edge view of a fusible link forming an element of theapparat-us.

I have chosen to illustrate my invention as embodied in an oil-burnerstructure. involving, as an element thereof, a rotatable, substantiallyvertically disposed, hollow shaft 5, shown as forming the armature shaftof an electric motor the armature and field windings of which arerepresented at 6 and so 7, respectively, the opening through the shaft,represented at 8, extending from end to end thereof. The opening 8 atthe extreme lower end of the shaft 5 is constricted, as compared withthe opening at the exdevice whereby should' treme upper end thereof andwhich communicateswith burner-proper 9 to be supplied with liquid fuelthrough the shaft 5, whereh rotation of the shaft causes oil so plied tereto to flow to the burner. T e

lower end of the shaft 5 opens into a receptacle 10 forming afloat-chamber, in position therein to be continuously immersed in theoil supplied tothis chamber through a pipe 11, under the control of avalve (not shown) controlled by a float 12 in the chamber 10, and avalve 13 in the pipe 11, the receptacle 10 containing an overflowopening, such as indicated at 14. Located directly beneath thereceptacle 10 is a basin 15 shown as spaced vertically fromthereceptacle 10 and provided to receive any oil overflowing theburner-proper or the receptacle 10, this basin containing an outlet 16for directing the overflowing oil into the safety-bucket hereinafterreferred to.

My improved safety device comprises a bucket 17 rigidily secured to thelower end of a rod 18, by a fitting 19, the upper end of the .rod 18being connected with a bracket 20 releasably engaging at its upper endwith, and pivoted on, a shaft 21 rigidly secured to,

and projecting laterally from, a'dependin'g ear 22 on the casing of thevalve 13 which is rigidly supported by its connection with the sectionsof the pipe 11, the parts described being so roportioned and arrangedthat the bucket 1? extends into a osition in which it is directly belowthe out at 16 and receives any oil flowing therethrough from the basin15.

Pivotally connected between its ends with the bracket 20, as indicatedas 23, is a bent lever 24, the rearwardly deflected end of which isweighted, as represented at 25, and the other end of which, representedat 24:, is connected with the bracket 20 by means of a fusible link 26,shown as formed of a pair of parallel plates 27 and 28 secured to thelever 24 and bracket 20, respectively, and overlappin each other atadjacent ends, as represente in Fig. 5, at which overlapped portionsthese plates are secured together by solder having the desired meltingpoint, the arrangement of these parts being such that the lever 24:extends substantially. horizontally as shown, in the operative positionof the parts.

The bracket 20 is provided with a 100king shoulder 29 shown as extendingupwardly and carried by the outer end of an arm 30 projectingsubstantially radially from the opening 31 in the bracket at which thelatter receives the pivot-shaft 21, this shoulder co-operating with atooth 32 shown as forming the terminal portion of one end of a lever 33operatively connected between its ends, with the outer end of arotatable valve element 34 forming a part of the valve 13. The oppositeend-portion of the lever 33 is of the angular shape to provide therearwardly offset portion 33 the terminal portion of which carries aweight 35 which is rearwardly oil'set relative to the weight 25.

' In the particular construction shown the valve-element 34 is in theform of a rod rotatable in a hollow boss 36 extending laterally of, andcommunicating with, the interior of the casing of the valve 13, the interior of this easing containing a partition 37 having an opening 38forming a port through which all of the oil flowing through the valve 13must pass. The inner end of the rod 34, which is provided with athreaded portion 39 between its ends engaging a similar thread 40 in theboss 36, is in direct axial alinement with the opening 38 with which itco-operates to control the flow of oil through the valve 13, it beingunderstood that when the rod 34 is rotated in clockwise direction inFig. 2 from the position shown therein and in Fig. 3, it will move therod 34 to the right in Fig. 3 to a position in which the openin 38 isclosed.

As above stated the bracket 20, together with the parts carried thereby,is removably pivotally supported on the shaft 21 and to preventaccidental disengagement of this bracket from the shaft 21 I provide aspring detent 41 shown as of U-shape one arm 42 of the detent beingsecured to the bracket 20 and its other, free, arm 44 extending acrossthe shaft 21 and, under its spring tension, into an annular groove 45provided in the periphery of this shaft, the bracket being slotted at 46to receive the arm 44 of this spring and permit of"'its defiection.

The shaft 21 is shown as provided, adjacent the bracket 20, with acollar 47 ri id thereon and containing the groove 45, etween which andthe ear 22 an upwardlyextending plate 48 through which the shaft 21passes and a sleeve 21 encirclin this shaft, are clamped by a nut 49screwe upon the outer, threaded, end of this shaft, the upper end of thelate 48 abutting the outer end of a stuffing ox 36* on the boss 36 andcontaining an opening 50 in which the rod 34 is journaled.

The normal condition of the safety device is that shown in the drawingsin which the lever 33 is in engagement at its tooth 32 with the shoulder29 on the swinging bracket 20, in which position of the parts thevalve-rod 34 is in spaced relation to the partition 38 and oil may flowthrough the valve 13 to the burner structure, the lever 33 being held bythe shoulder 29 against its tendency, under the action of the weight35,-

of rocking t e bracket 20 in counter-clockwise direction in Fig. 2 andlowering the shoulder 29 out of engagement with the lever 33, whereuponthe latter under the action of the weight 35, swings in clockwise direction rotating the valve-rod 34 to valve-closing position.

Should the oil at the burner structure become ignited before it reachesthe burnerhead 9 the heat generated thereby will soften the solderconnecting the plates 27 and 28 of the fusible link, which will permitthe lever 24 to rock in clockwise direction in Fig. 2, under the actionof the weight 25, to a position in which the bucket 17 will cease to becounterbalanced, with the same result as in the case of the flowing ofoil into the bucket 17, as above explained, whereby the valve 13 becomesclosed. By

preference a cup represented at 51 is 'con-' nected with the bucket 20in a position to extend immediately below the fusible link, this cup tobe charged with oil which be comes ignited in case of accidental fire atthe burner-structure and ensures the melting of the solder referred to.

The lever 33: is preferably provided with a finger 52 so positioned thatit will extend into the path ofithe end 24* of the lever 24, in theswinging of the latter, when released by the melting of the solder asabove explained, and thus ensure the swinging of the lever 33 to aposition in which t is lever is disengaged from the shoulder 29.

- It will be noted that the bracket 20, lever 24 and bucket 17, ineffect,'form a unitary structure, removable from, and replaceable on,the shaft 21, as a unit and that it is not possible to set the valve13in open position unless this unitary structure is so positioned thatthe bucket 17 will catch the overflow and the fusible link isconditioned for operation, this being a very desirable feature as itserves to minimize danger from overflow and fire.

While I have illustrated and described a particular constructionembodying my inlimiting it thereto as the same may be variously modifiedand altered .without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through whichthe oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of oil tosaid burner structure, of means controlling said first-named meanscomprising a. movably supported element, a bucket operatively engagingsaid element and positioned to receive oil overflowing said burnerstructure, a movable member operatively engaging said element, and meansoperatively engaging'said member and element for hold-v ing said memberagainst movement relative to said element and having a fusible portion,said second named means when oil flows into said bucket, or said fusibleportion becomes fused, moving to a position in which said first-namedmeans become positioned for discontinuing the flow of oil to said burnerstructure.

2. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through whichthe oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of oil tosaid burner structure and tending to move, when in open position, toclosed position, of means controlling said firstnamed means comprising amovably supported element, a bucket operatively engaging said elementand positioned to receive oil overflowing the burner structure, saidelement being movable uiider the weight of oil flowing into said bucketand having a portion operating toreleasably hold said firstnamed meansin a position for supplying oil to the burner structure, a movablemember operatively engaging said element, and means operatively engagingsaid member and element for holding said member against movementrelative to said element and having a fusible portion which, when fused,re leases said member for movement on said element, said element in saidmovement of said member moving said portion out of engagement with saidfirst-named means.

3. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through whichthe oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of oil tosaid burner structure and tending to move, when in open position, toclosed position, of means controlling said firstnamed means comprising abucket-equipped element, counter-balancing means for said element andfusible means controlling the position of said counter-balancing means.

4. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through whichthe oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of oil tosaid burner structure and tending to move, when in open position, toclosed position, of means controlling said firstnamed means comprising abucket equipped element, counter-balancing means for said element, andfusible means controlling the position of said counter-balancing means,said second-named means being removable from, and replaceable in, oerative position for holding said first-name means in open conditiononly as a unitary structure and only when said fusible means are inoperative condition.

5. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through whichthe oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of oil tosaid burner structure, of means controlling said first-named meanscomprising a pivoted bucket-equipped element, counterbalae-ing means forsaid element and fusible means controlling the position of saidcounter-balancing means, for the purpose set forth.

6. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through whichthe oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of oil tosaid burner structure, of means controlling said first-named meanscomprising 'a pivoted bucket-equipped element, counter-balancing meansivoted formovement independently of said element, and fusible meanscontrolling the position of saidv counter-balancing means, for'thepurpose set forth.

7. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through whichthe oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of oil tosaid burner structure, of means controlling said first-named meanscomprising a movably supported element, a bucket operatively engagingsaid element and positioned to receive oil overflowing saidburnerstructure, a counter-weight member pivoted on said element, and meansoperatively engaging said counter-weight member and element for holdingsaid member against movement relative to said element and havingafusible portion, said second named means when oil flows into saidbucket, or said fusi ble portion becomes fused, moving to a position inwhich said first-named means become positioned for arresting the flow ofoil to said burner structure.

8. The combination With an oil-burner structure, a pipe through whichthe oil is supplied thereto. and means controlling the flow of oil tosaid burner structure, ofmeans controlling said first-named meanscomprising a movably supported element, a bucket operatively engagingsaid element and positioned to receive oil overflowing said' burnerstructure, a counter-balancing lever pivoted on said element, fusibleconnecting means connecting said lever with said element and releasablyholding said lever in counter-balancing position, the parts being soconstructed and arranged'that when oil overflows into the bucket theefiect of said counter-balancing lever will be overcome and saidsecond-named means will move to a come positioned for arresting the flowof oil to said burner structure, and when said fusible connecting meansbecome fused said lever Will rock to a position in which it ceases tocounter-balance said bucket and said second-named means will move-tosaid last-referred-to position.

9. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through whichthe oil is supplied thereto, a valve controlling the flow of oil to saidburner structure and tending to move, when in open position, to closedposition, of means controlling said valve comprising a pivotallysupported latch member adapted to interlock with said valve and hold itin open position, a bucket carried by said latch member and positionedto receive oil over-flowing the burner structure, said member, when oilover-flows into said bucket, being movable in a direction to disengagefrom said valve, a counter-balancing lever pivotally connected with saidmember, and fusible connecting means engaging said member and lever andholding said lever in counter-balancing position, the parts being soconstructed and arranged that when said fusible connecting means becomefused said lever will rock to a position in which it is ineffective tocounter-balance said bucket, whereupon said latch member disengages fromsaid valve.

10. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through whichthe oil is supplied, and means controlling the flow of oil to saidburner structure, of means controlling said first-named means comprisinga pivoted bucket-equipped element, counter-balancing means for saidelement movably supported and tending to move to a position in which itdoes not counterbalance said element, and fusible means holding saidcounter-balancing means in counter-balancing position.

11. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through whichthe oil is supplied to said burner-structure and means controlling theflow of oil to said burnerstructure, of means controlling saidfirstnamed means comprising a pivoted bucketequipped element,counterbalancing means for said element movably supported and tending tomove to a position in which it does not counterbalance said element,fusible means holding said counterbalancing means in (ounterba-lancingposition, and means for maintaining a body of inflammable material sopositioned that when ignited it subjects said fusible means to heat.

12. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through whichthe oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of oil tosaid burner structure and tending to move, when in a position inwhichoil flows to said burner structure, to a position in which the flowof oil is discontinued, of means controlling said first-named meanscomprising a receptacle positioned to receive oil overflowing from theburner structure and movable under the weight of oil flowing into it,and an element operatively and permanently connected with saidreceptacle and operating to releasably hold said first-named means in aposition in which oil is supplied to the burner structure, saidreceptacle and element being removable from, and replaceable in,operative position, only as a unitary structure, for the purpose setforth.

13. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through whichthe oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of oil tosaid burner structure and tending to move, when in a positionin whichoil flows to said burner structure, to a position in which the flow ofoil is discontinued, of means controlling said first-named meanscomprising a supporting member, a recep tacle pivotally supported onsaid supporting member and positioned to receive oil overflowing theburner structure and movable under the weight of oil flowing into it,and an element operatively and permanently connected with saidreceptacle and operating to releasably hold said first-named means in aposition for supplying oil to the burner structure, said receptacle andelement being removable from and replaceable on, said supporting member,only as a unitary structure, for the purpose set forth.

14. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through whichthe oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of pil tosaid burner structure and tending to moireywhenjn a position in whichoil flows to said burner structure, to a position in which the flow ofoil is discontinued, of means controlling said first-named meanscomprising a pivotally supported member. a receptacle for receiving oiloverflowing the burner structure operatively connected with said memberand extending at one side of the pivotal axis of said member, meanscontrolled by the position of said receptacle and operating toreleasably hold said first-named means in a position for supplying oilto the burner structure, and means extending at the opposite side ofsaid pivotal axis for substantially eounterbalancing said receptaclewhen the latter is empty, said second-named means being removable from,and replaceable on, said member, only as a unitary structure.

15. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through whichthe oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of oil tosaid burner structure and tending to move, when in a position in whichoil flows to said burner structure, to a positlon in which the flow of011 15 discontinued,

of-means controlling said first-named means comprising a bucket-equippedelement, counterbalancing means for said element and fusible meanscontrolling the position ofsaid counterbalancing means.

16. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through whichthe oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of oil tosaid burner structure and tending to move, when in a position in whichoil flows to said burner structure, to a position in which the flow ofoil is discontinued, of means controlling said first-namcd meanscomprising a bucket-equipped element, counterbalancing means for saidelement, and fusible means controlling the position of saidcounterbalancing means, said second-named means being removable from,and replaceable in, operative position for holding said first-namedmeans in open condition only as a unitary structure and only when saidfusible means are in operative condition.

17. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through whichthe oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of oil tosaid burner structure and comprising a controlling element tending tomove, when in a position in which oil flows to said burner structure, toa position in which the flow of oil is discontinued. of meanscontrolling said controlling element comprising a pivotally supportedlatch member adapted to interlock with said element and hold it in aposition in which oil is supplied to said burner structure, a bucketcarried by said latch member and positioned to receive oil overflowingthe burner structure, said latch element, when oil overflows into saidbucket, being movable in a direction to disengage from said element, acounter balancing lever pivotally connected with said member, andfusible connecting means engaging said member and lever and holding saidlever in counter-balancing position, the parts being so constructed andarranged that when said fusible connecting means become fused said leverwill rock to a position in which itis ineffective tocounterbalance saidbucket whereupon said latch member becomes disengaged from saidcontrolling element.

OSCAR C. SCHRO EDER.

